[Opinion] Emotional Reaction to the Issue of Japanese History Textbooks Is Not Effective

A forum, held at the international conference room of the College of Business Administration at Seoul National University, was hosted by the Association of Korean-Japanese National Studies last 19th. The title of the forum was `How do the Japanese people understand the issue of the Japanese history textbooks?`. I, as a Korean-Japanese, who currently resides in Korea, experienced many things through this forum.

I was educated in Japan. Therefore, I did not learn objectively about Korea during the middle and the high school. I could study about Korea only after I had entered college. As the issue of the Japanese history textbooks arose as one of the diplomatic issues among Korea, China and Japan, I began to be interested in the Korean history.

The issue of the Japanese history textbooks has improved thanks to the efforts made by both Korean and Japanese scholars. However, the `new history textbooks` created a stir in East Asia. The arguments of the `Society for the New History Textbook` are far-fetched, and it will be difficult for the Koreans to accept its arguments. However, it should be noticed that the arguments made by the `Society for the New History Textbook` are influential in the Japanese society. Therefore, the issue of the Japanese history textbooks is not something one can react emotionally or simply ignore.

The writings by the Japanese people are on the Japanese websites of the major Korean newspapers almost everyday, including Dong Il-bo. Some of them contain insulting and discriminatory remarks. Some Koreans react violently to the Japanese writings through the cyber-terror, instead of arguing logically.

The purpose of the forum was to have a reasonable dialogue between the Korean and the Japanese intellectuals, moving beyond the emotional clash. One Japanese participant suggested an open TV discussion in which influential people from various social sectors of each country can participate in order to facilitate the discussion between the two countries. I also believe that the facilitation of the discussion in the private level can help to bridge the gap between the two countries.

Korea should come up with the logical arguments that can dispute the logic of the Japan’s right-wing circles on the one hand. On the other hand, Korea should look for the solidarity within Japan. Korea should not let the young Korean-Japanese be unaware of the history. Only when their hearts are filled with hope, the conflict between the two countries can be resolved.

Chung Dae-Sung (visiting professor at Seoul National University)